“Never Tell Me the Odds” Han Solo

Tiffany Morse1.16.20

“Never Tell Me the Odds,” famous words from Han Solo.  Have you ever wanted to go on an adventure with him? Pilot the Millennium Falcon?   I was finally going to get that chance, forty-two years in the making……

Recently, while at Hollywood Studios in line and drinking coffee at 5:15 a.m. The energy and feel of the crowd was completely contradictory to the day before, where we were marched in unceremoniously.    The excitement was palpable and contagious. Just before 6 a.m., the Imperial March began to play and all of Hollywood Boulevard was surrounded by storm troopers.  It was amazing.  They marched us into Batuu. When we approached the rock cave to enter, everyone got silent on their own and as people began to pass under the stone archway,  exuberant shouts of glee were heard.  We walked in, quickly found Smuggler’s Run and started taking some interesting pictures on the way in as it was dark.  We talked to a cast member outside about using Rider Swap and she said whomever had the child or baby in our case had to stay outside of the building with the baby.  They scanned our Magic Bands and then two of us rode the ride and one held the baby.  When the two of us came off of the ride , we switched I went back with one person through what I am guessing will eventually be the Fastpass Line  and the other person in our group took the baby.  It was really easy and very quick. 

The queue was incredible.  I wanted to go slower to catch a look at everything.  As we went through the line,  it was a hanger where you were given directions from Hondo Ohnaka.  Then proceeded on where you entered the Falcon and were divided into your groups,  being given your card with your assignment and helpful information on it.  There are 6 positions, 2 pilots, 2 engineers, and 2 gunners.  The engineers sit in the very back and have to hit button to “repair the ship.”  If you get motion sickness, this is something to think about as you can close your eyes if needed and just hit  the button. 

Then we came into the room with the famous chess game where we took a quick picture and then you are off to see how much cargo your team can acquire.  One of the ways this attraction is different, is that your actions will direct your journey and outcome.  If you have a pilot that crashes , you crash and feel it.  It is similar for the engineer repairing the ship and the gunner.  Your experience will be different each time.  The first I was an engineer and I did pretty well.  The second time , I was a gunner and liked that better.  You can put it on automatic(you just have to hit a button) or manual and you to aim.  It was incredible.  I have wanted to be in the Millennium  Falcon since I was five.  I was on cloud 9 when we stepped off and went downstairs.

While we were riding,  the other members of our group had been doing fabulous photo ops, and talking to characters.  After a quick trip to the “refresher,”one took the baby and we went up to the cast member at the exit.  She scanned our Magic Bands and we were off through another entrance so you do not have to go through the long due line again so the rider swap works well, I was so thrilled.  The second time I was a gunner and it was joyous.  You could put it on either manual(where you have you aim and fire ) or automatic(where it aims and you just have to hit the button).  I chose automatic and had a blast with the realism. 

I also love that each ride is a completely different experience depending on the crew with you and how you all perform.  You can also get to different points in your mission based on how well you preform and how much bounty you collect.  It is a thrilling, new adventure every time. Til the Spire.’

New thrills will be arriving in Batuu in the next few months, to book your interstellar travel to Batuu or another destination contact me at: tiffm@wishesfamilytravel.com or 678-770-4144.